I will post... really...

I will post soon... things are just a little chaotic at the moment.

Well...

...this is it, folks... next time I post I should be a Mommy! I'm just finishing up some last minute organization tonight and then it's off to bed as I have a very early morning ahead of me. Lately, especially last night, I've been suffering from some serious insomnia and haven't been getting much sleep. With lack of sleep comes headaches. I would rather go into tomorrow feeling my best... but we shall see. I will post when I'm home again.

Productive day...

Today has been a fairly productive day... more-so than other days recently. It's not really by choice, but because I have no more days to get my house somewhat clean and organized. Nej will be here either late tonight or sometime tomorrow morning, and then it's off to the hospital very early (be there before 7:30am) Saturday morning and when we come home we will have Baby Bee with us... though he potentially won't arrive until sometime Sunday. Thus, today is my final day to try and get feeling somewhat good about the state of my house. Thus far... semi-satisfied. I'm finishing up the main floor and then I just have two tasks to get done - my bathroom and vacuum up all the cat fur (perhaps give them a brushing too).

My sister called me this morning just to see if there was a baby yet! She makes me laugh... I told her I would call her when he arrives. I feel kind of bad not telling my family that I'm going in to be induced on Saturday morning, but I don't want people showing up unannounced when I'm in labor... I want us (JB, myself, and Baby Bee) to have some quiet time before visitors start showing up as well. Thus, I can't tell my family specifically - JB's family would respect our wishes, but I can't guarantee that mine would. So, only a couple friends know the situation.

I am not sleeping well these days. Part of it is my belly - I seriously feel like I'm *squishing* Baby Bee. But, I asked my doctor and he said that I'm not. I still wake up and am very uncomfortable or have a really hard time getting back to sleep. The other part of my not sleeping well is getting to sleep in the first place... I'm a worrier - always have been, always will be. Sometimes I can't shut off my brain (which drives JB absolutely nuts because I worry about things that are beyond my control... which I know, but that doesn't stop me worrying). So, my brain has been working overtime these past few days. It's a good thing I have a strong, rock of a husband to keep me (mostly) grounded.

Well, I think I've rested long enough. JB's Mom is showing up in about an hour so we can go car shopping with her and I would like to get some more things done around the house... just in case Nej does show up tonight.

One last thought... here's what I look like the day before Baby Bee's *official* due date (really round, I know):

Pregnancy & My Little Sister

Well, perhaps my Dad was right... perhaps getting pregnant was a good thing for my sister... She has been a different person the past couple months. We went *years* barely talking, as she was engulfed in the wonderful drug scene and I had no desire to talk to an addict - if I could even reach her. Now she calls me "just to chat" or because she's bored... that would never happen before.

She's also found a new understanding and appreciation of money - she even paid us back for the $15 of gas we put in her car the day she started her job as a pizza-delivery girl (she wasn't sure how/when she was getting paid and gas is kind of essential for that job). JB and I gave her a gift card to Wal-Mart for her birthday (I figured that way she could either get some maternity clothes, food, or treat herself... her decision). Well, she called us last night to thank us for the wonderful present (I don't think she's ever received a gift card for a present and was very excited about it!) and to say how she's been feeling guilty because we always get her stuff, but she hasn't/can't get us anything. So I told her how much it means that she's been so very different these past few months and that's the best gift she could ever give us.

The poor girl though... she got the morning-sickness bug! In fact, she had to go to the doctor to get Diclectin as her throwing-up was affecting work - which she cannot afford to miss. Expensive stuff! She's feeling a lot better now that she's on it. I've known women who have taken it and their children are fine.

Hmmm... I should eat some breakfast and get ready to head into town. I have to go for my second NST this morning and then head up to my doctor's office. Before that I want to stop at Wal-Mart, as I need AAA batteries and I want the new Reba Duets CD... I don't buy CD's often, but I've recently re-fallen in love with Reba's music.

The pregnancy ticker lied!

"...done squirming around in here" my behind! I have never felt Baby Bee so active as I have in the past week - and especially today. Stretching and pushing... there is no more room! He is a strong little bee...

39 Weeks, 3 days... only days to go!

Oh, how much can change in a week! Anyways... I went to my prenatal appointment on the 13th (Thurs) and for the second week in a row my blood pressure was a little on the high side and, to make matters worse, I had protien in my *sample*. These two symptoms together can signal the onset of preeclampsia/toxemia/pregnancy induced hypertension (yes, three terms that mean the exact same thing... lovely). So, I got sent for a non-stress test (NST) at the hospital immediately following my appointment. Apparently my NST was picture-perfect and Baby Bee is very happy in his environment. I was very glad to hear this.

I had to go back to my doctor today for a follow-up appointment. Again, my blood pressure was higher than he would like so, as he had mused upon during my last appointment, he decided that he didn't want to risk and complications and thus I am being induced on Saturday! So, if the induction takes, I will be a Mommy sometime on Saturday (I don't want this piece of information posted on Facebook at this time). Before I am induced, I have to go for another NST Wednesday morning and then go see my doctor immediately afterwards. Then, Saturday I have to call the prenatal unit at 6:00am and show up at 7:30am. After that, it will be a waiting game... induction doesn't always take the first time, so Baby Bee may not arrive until Sunday. Either way, it's looking like his grand entrance into this world is less than a week away. My first thought when the induction was scheduled... man, do I ever have a lot to get done before then! The catch... I'm supposed to be on bed-rest. *sigh*

The good news... if this is the way Baby Bee arrives, then I will be able to visit with Nej with no problems. She will either be arriving on Thursday night or Friday morning (which means we can go see Resident Evil: Extinction Friday night) and leaving Saturday. As I will be gone early Saturday morning, she will likely head up to the "City of Champions" and do a little shopping before flying home. Now, if Baby Bee decides to arrive early... all bets are off! :D

Hmmm... Prison Break Season 3 premieres in an hour... I should go have a bath (I have a cold and am absolutely miserable as I can't take any drugs). Chat you girls (and guy?) later.

Non-pregnancy post:

I am very sad to say that one of my favorite authors has passed away after a battle with Amyloidosis. May he rest in peace:

James Oliver Rigney, Jr. - aka. Robert Jordan

[October 17, 1948 - September 16, 2007]

False labor pains... goody!

Yup, yesterday I was suffering from some false labor pains... now doesn't that sound like fun?! JB and I were napping (I asked him to snuggle with me while I napped and he slept more than I did!) but I woke up with some *interesting* pains - nothing too strong, but definitely not the normal "Baby Bee is pushing on my insides" type feelings. So, I went and had a bath... I figured I was in there for maybe 20 minutes, but nope - it was closer to 40 minutes! I felt like crap for most of the remainder of the day, but at least I didn't have anything more planned than lying on the couch watching UFC-75 Champion vs. Champion.

The car seat is installed! It's funny... they say there should be very little side-to-side movement - well, that sucker isn't going anywhere! In fact, if I need the base out of the van, JB will have to get it out for me - he definitely installed it tightly. I'm going to stop by St. John's Ambulance sometime this week to have it checked, as they do it for free, but I'm sure it is fine. I am glad that our set came with two bases, as I should be able to just leave that one base in the van until Baby Bee out-grows the car seat entirely.

Today I am in the process of organizing Baby Bee's room. I've done most of the laundry, but until today it was just added to a growing pile of things to be put away. I need to organize all the little ointments and lotions I've received and/or bought... things like that. This way, I will hopefully be able to find things when I actually need them - such as after he makes his entrance into the world (which, I suppose, I hope will be sooner rather than later).

A lot of people are asking - "do you want baby out yet?" Well, I'm undecided on the matter and I think that's because I'm a first-time-mom and have some anxiety relating to what life will be like after baby arrives. So, I will admit that life (especially sleeping and trying to get off the couch) will be much more comfortable when Baby Bee is "out", but I'm still not sure if I'm ready for that to happen... in fact, I'm not sure if I'll ever be 100% ready for that to happen. When Baby Bee makes his (or her) grand entrance into the world, we will figure out how things work then!

Thanks to you girls who gave me your opinions regarding my maternity photos - I placed my order. I'm very excited to have Baby Bee's newborn session as I squirreled away a little extra money so I can get some announcement cards made! :)

First work-day with no work!

Yup, today is my first work-day where I don't have to get up for work... in fact, I'd probably still be sleeping but my hubby sent me a text message that woke me up! It was time anyways... I suppose...

Well, after a very non-productive weekend I should probably attempt to get some stuff done around the house today. A few good things would be:

1. 1. Get the car seat installed
2. 2. Do a load of towels (I have one musty smelling towel that needs dealing with)
3. 3. Clean off the kitchen table
4. 4. Find my ROE from a previous employer

If I get those four things done today, I would be quite happy. In an attempt to ration my gas, I'm not planning on heading into the big City today as I have to go in on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! (Wed = ultrasound & pedicure; Thurs = doc appt; Fri = Mom's Group)

Oh... and this is what JB and I have decided... I am not *allowed* to go into labor on the following days:

• - Today or tomorrow (4th/5th) - JB is out of town and said he'd be quite upset if I went into labor before his days off!
• - 6th - JB has a firearms course in the evening & I have my TOPS 25th Anniversary Open House.
• - 7th - I have a PartyLite show to go to in the evening!

So, the earliest I am *allowed* to go into labor is Sept 8th... though even that would be inconvenient, as it's UFC that night! LOL... aren't we silly. No worries - the hospital bag is packed an in the van. Speaking of the van... I have one more task on my to-do list for today: I have to call around and get prices/availability on remote starters for the van... nearly forgot!

Edit: Hmmm... this is the second time I've used either the bullets or bulleted numbers and once again they didn't show and I had to edit the post with my own numbers/bullets. It does put them in a nice list though.

Brinlee Rae K.

Born: August 20, 2007 (2 weeks early!)

Weight: 7 lbs, 13oz

First day of the next year...

...otherwise known as the first official day of my maternity leave! Yup, I am now unemployed for the next 52 weeks - my scheduled date of return to my job is Tuesday, September 2, 2008 (after the long weekend). So, what did I do to mark this momentous occasion? Here's a brief run-down of my day:

• - Crawled out of bed sometime around 10:30am (it's Saturday, I slept as long as I could!).
• - Applied for EI online, as there is a two-week waiting period so they recommend you do the application online first... discovered I need to find my ROE from my previous employer before my current employer's ROE arrives in the mail.
• - Made a printed list of what TV channels I currently have on the downstairs TV - we only have one digital receiver, so we get certain channels downstairs that we don't upstairs; decided which channels we currently subscribe to have to be replaces and with what.
• - Reconciled our banking - I had an extra $25.10 that was unaccounted for... math error somewhere that I didn't catch.
• - Watched 2 episodes of The Simpsons (re-runs of course).
• - Decided it was about time I used our BBQ all by myself for the first time - my parents gave us the BBQ around 2.5 years ago as a combination grad/house-warming present. This is the first time I've actually used it... I usually make JB BBQ for us.
• - Started my Stargate SG1 viewing marathon - I am watching the entire series in order from Season 1, Episode 1 through the end of Season 10... though I don't own Season 9 or 10 yet. I'm not sure how far I'll get with this before Baby Bee is born, but I have a full year to get through it all! Today's viewing (thus far) only consisted of the pilot episode (approx. 2 hrs long)... it was good - picked up where the cheesy 80's/90's movie left off but with much better graphics and actors.
• - Looked through my maternity photo gallery.
• - Did 1 load of dishes... and by that I mean I loaded the dishwasher - it's running now.
• - Made this list!

Yup... that's my day in a nutshell. It was pretty relaxing, though oddly productive. I'm off to have a nice, relaxing bath now before watching as many episodes of SG1 as I can before JB calls me to pick him up... I should get through 2 episodes, depending how long I soak for.

So, I am now on maternity leave. It was very odd to me to pack up/clean out my desk knowing that I wasn't starting a new job this coming week - I've always started either a new job or returned to school when leaving one place of employment... but not this time. Kind of odd... but nice.

I have pics of my friend's (BK & JK) new baby girl... Brinlee Rae. However, I haven't downloaded them onto the computer yet, so you'll have to wait! She's a cutie... and sleeps way more than a "normal" baby... I asked JK if I can have one like that?! ;)

My goal for tomorrow... get the car seat installed. Then when I'm in town this week I can stop by St. John's Ambulance and they will check to make sure it's installed properly, free of charge. Other events this week: ultrasound @ 10:30am Wednesday; pedicure @ 1:00pm Wednesday; prenatal doctor appointment @ 3:45pm Thursday; my TOPS chapter's 25th anniversary open house @ 6:30pm Thursday; baby shower for JK Friday am; sister-in-law's PJ-themed PartyLite show @ 7:00pm Friday. Hmmm... when I write it out like that, I'm looking at a pretty busy week. Other than those key events, I plan on napping a lot (sleeping in every day - except Wednesday) and hopefully getting *some* housework done.

Big hugs to C-Dub, as this is her final week as an unmarried lady! I cannot wait to see pics and hear all about the fabulous day! I'll be thinking about you...